ALAMEDA, Calif.—Raiders running back Darren McFadden has rushed for only 54 yards on 26 carries (2.1-yard average) through the first two games.

By comparison, he amassed 222 yards (5.3) through his first two games last season.

There’s a belief by some that McFadden isn’t a proper fit for the zone-blocking scheme favored by offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. However, McFadden, Knapp, coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Carson Palmer strongly disagree.

The Raiders are confident that it’s only a matter of time before the offensive linemen get comfortable with the conversion from the power-blocking scheme and that McFadden gets untracked.

Until then, teams are going to crowd the line of scrimmage and key on McFadden, compelling the Raiders to pass more often than desired.

Palmer has passed for 670 yards through two games, but the Raiders offense has scored only 27 points and rushed for 68 yards.

Corner problems

Since last season, the Raiders have parted ways with veteran cornerbacks Stanford Routt, Chris Johnson and Lito Sheppard, as well as second-year corners DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa (who is on Oakland’s practice squad).

They hoped the addition of veterans Ron Bartell and Shawntae Spencer would provide an upgrade at the position. But after only two games, Bartell and Spencer are injured and out indefinitely. This leaves the 0-2 Raiders ultra-thin at cornerback at precisely the wrong time. They face Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan in the next three games.